Offering incense

By offering different kinds of incense or sandalwood, we wish that all sentient beings will receive the pure fragrance of precept observance, and eliminate all their afflictions and defiled habits.

 

Offering flowers

People who offer flowers will not suffer from afflictions and turbidities in the future. Their living environment will be free from pollution. By respectfully offering fragrant flowers, people can receive the following ten benefits:

1.     They will be like a flower in all their interactions with others, and people will be happy to see them.

2.     Their bodies will be free from foul odors.

3.     The fragrance of their blessings and precept observance will permeate all directions.

4.     Wherever they are born, they will have a healthy nose.

5.     Their demeanor will be beyond the secular world and they will receive the admiration of others.

6.     Their bodies will always be clean and fragrant.

7.     They will enjoy pursuing the truth and reading or reciting sutras.

8.     They will have great blessings.

9.     They will be reborn in the heavens at the end of this lifetime.

10. They will quickly realize Nirvana.

 

Offering lamps

By respectfully offering lighting appliances and bringing brightness to others, people can receive ten kinds of blessings:

1.     They will shine luminously upon the world as if they were a bright lamp.

2.     They will not suffer from eye illnesses.

3.     They will easily realize the spiritual power of unobstructed vision.

4.     They will have the wisdom to distinguish between good and bad.

5.     They will not encounter gloomy and unfortunate events.

6.     They will not be easily confused by external events.

7.     They will not be born in dark and shady places.

8.     They will have great blessings.

9.     They will be reborn in the heavens at the end of this lifetime.

10. They will quickly realize Nirvana.

 

Offering fruits

People who offer fruits will enjoy working diligently and be complete with concentration and wisdom in the future. Offering fruits will lead to the realization of fruition with no outflows (which is Nirvana: purity and a lack of afflictions).

 

Offering tea and drinks

People who offer drinks will always be free from all afflictions and cravings.

 

Offering food

By respectfully offering food, people can receive the following ten blessings:

1.     They will enjoy a long life.

2.     They will have healthy skin and a pleasant complexion.

3.     They will be strong and energetic.

4.     They will have unobstructed eloquence.

5.     They will be fearless.

6.     They will not be lazy in their work, and will always be respected by others.

7.     People will enjoy their company.

8.     They will have great blessings.

9.     They will be reborn in the heavens at the end of this lifetime.

10. They will quickly realize Nirvana.

 

Offering perfume

By sprinkling fragrant water on the Buddha’s stupas, or bathing the Buddha’s body with fragrant water, or applying fragrant oil to a Buddha statue, people will have an exceptionally adorned body and appearance in the future. By offering fragrant water for sages to bathe in, they will be born in noble and wealthy families in the future. They will also enjoy peace, happiness, and have few illnesses.

 

Offering clothing

By respectfully offering clothing, people can receive the following ten kinds of blessings:

1.     They will have a dignified appearance.

2.     Their skin will be soft, smooth and tender.

3.     Their bodies will not pick up any dust or defilements.

4.     They will have the best clothing as soon as they are born.

5.     They will cover their bodies with the finest sheets and blankets.

6.     They will have a sense of remorse.

7.     They will be loved and respected by all who see them.

8.     They will have great wealth and treasures.

9.     They will be reborn in the heavens at the end of this lifetime.

10. They will quickly realize Nirvana.

 

Offering Dharma treasures

People who offer the Dharma will have wisdom in the future. By offering sutras and explaining the Dharma, people can receive the following five kinds of blessings:

1.     Longevity: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will not create the karma of killing, so the giver will receive the reward of living a long life.

2.     Great wealth: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will not steal from others, so the giver will enjoy the reward of having great wealth.

3.     Dignified appearance: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will be calm and even-tempered, so the giver will receive the reward of having a dignified appearance in the future.

4.     Fame: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will generate faith in the Buddhadharma, so the giver will receive the reward of being honorable and enjoying fame and prestige in the future.

5.     Intelligent: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will improve in their ability to understand them, so the giver will receive the reward of being intelligent in the future.

 

Offering jewels

By offering precious jewels, people will be complete with the Buddha’s Thirty-two Auspicious Characteristics. By offering necklaces made of jade and pearls, they will be complete with the Eighty Minor Marks of a Buddha. By offering gold, silver, pearls and jewels, we hope that all sentient beings will have bodies adorned with many blessings. By offering jewels, we hope that all sentient beings will receive the unsurpassed Dharma wealth of the Buddha.